Sunday, November 12 at 10 a.m.

“Fear: Friend or Foe?”

Fear is a basic human experience. For some, it is a constant companion. For others, it is a visitor, sometimes more than we’d wish. There are those among us who are skilled at masking our fear, but that doesn’t mean it’s not present in our lives. Since it’s inescapable, what is available to us to get us through? The Choir is singing. Rev. Karen is in the pulpit and Warren Baker is Worship Associate.

Join us for worship in person in the Sanctuary, or online. The livestream link and order of service will be shared at bit.ly/FUUSBWorship, or visit our YouTube channel.

Following the service, all are welcome to Coffee Hour in the Community Room.

While at the Meeting House, masks are strongly encouraged. In the spirit of caring for each other, please stay home if you have any cold or flu symptoms. Thank you.

Children & Youth This Sunday!

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Sunday, November 12

Families will begin in the Sanctuary together. After the Reflection for All Ages, children, preschool through 8th grade, and their guides will be sung out for their group explorations! If your children are not yet registered, please escort them and fill out a new family form with their group guides. The Nursery will be open throughout the service for infants and toddlers. 

Want to read more about adrienne maree brown, whom Rev. Karen referenced this past Sunday? Here’s a good introduction.

Here is the video link for last Sunday's service:

November 5, 2023 FUUSB Worship Service

Masking at the Meeting House

Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance

For quite some time now the Society has had a "Masking Welcome" policy. Covid numbers were down, the weather was warm and windows could be open. Over the past few weeks, we have heard about more cases of Covid amongst members and friends, so the staff has decided to change our masking policy to "Masking Strongly Encouraged." While we are not requiring masks in the building, we are asking you to consider the health of our most vulnerable members and are encouraging you to wear a mask in areas where people congregate. We encourage you to bring your own mask, but we do have some masks available near the Pearl Street and Clarke Street entrances.

Also, with the weather turning colder, we will need to return to our air circulation procedures, which will require us to use fans to move air from the basement through the Sanctuary and out through the first-floor kitchen. This is currently our best way to make sure that air circulates through the Sanctuary in a helpful way. Doing this can often make our building feel cooler, so please dress accordingly and maybe keep your jacket with you in your seat.

Your staff is dedicated to making the Meeting House as safe as can be for everyone using our building. We will review our policies on a regular basis and adjust them accordingly. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Christina at [email protected].  

The Return of the Monthly FUUSB Open-Mic Coffeehouse!

Todd Schlossberg

Friday, November 10, 7 – 9 p.m. 

Celebrate, dear friends, the long-awaited return

Come let your creative fires burn

Share a poem, spoken words, a story or song

Or just watch and listen, you cannot go wrong 

What: The Monthly FUUSB Open-Mic Coffeehouse

No potluck supper, but hot beverages will be served

Who: Everyone! All ages! Bring friends and family

Where: The Sanctuary, First UU Society of Burlington

When: Friday, November 10, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. 

Sign up for the open-mic starting at 6:30 p.m. 

Cost: Free!

Questions? Email Todd Schlossberg here

Young Adult Gathering

Rowan Van Ness, Director of Youth & Emerging Adult Ministries

Sunday, November 12, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Calling all young adults (ages 18-35)! We plan to gather upstairs after the service and coffee hour for a light lunch, games, connection, and a chance to plan future activities with one another. Please join us! RSVP to [email protected], so we can best estimate the amount of food for the group. Future Young Adult meeting dates will be: Jan. 21, March 10, May 5.

Snacks for Elmwood Inn

Meredith OMalley

On Sunday, November 19, the Snack Wrangler will be coming with a basket to gather food and snacks for our neighbors at the Elmwood Inn. There will also be a basket along the side pews at the front of the Sanctuary. Along with First Congregational Church and First United Methodist Church, we care for our neighbors around us. The residents like things such as granola bars, bagged nuts, popcorn, meat sticks, or bags of apples or other fruit or dried fruit. In date of course – people sometimes forget to check sell by dates. Champlain Housing Trust, Elmwood Trust staff, and its members and residents, all thank you. It takes a village.

FUUSB Eclipse Project

Susan Ogden, Eclipse Team

The Great North American Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024 is expected to bring 250,000 tourists to Vermont! This is a rare astronomical phenomenon and Burlington will be one of the best places for viewing the eclipse. The hotels are already booked!

Will you donate a space to take part in FUUSB’s Eclipse Fundraiser? Please contact [email protected] for more information. 😎

Or go straight to the donate form!

https://tinyurl.com/EclipseUUHomes

2023 FUUSB Fundraiser - Holiday Wreaths & Greens for Your Home!

Sarah Forbes

There are many places you can get your holiday greens from. Please support the FUUSB and order a beautiful, custom-decorated, premium quality wreath or swag for your home or for a gift. Wreaths are handmade in the Northeast Kingdom and measure about 24” across. Swags are handmade, decorated with natural materials and a bow and are about 18"-24” long.

Pick-up is Saturday, Dec. 2 (10 a.m.-3 p.m.), or Sunday, Dec. 3 in the Community Room (11 a.m.-1 p.m.).

Sign up online through the FUUSB Fundraiser link: 

Auctria.events/Wreaths2023

FUUSB Fundraiser - Memorial Greens & Wreaths

Sarah Forbes

Remember a loved one this year with a memorial wreath or greens which will decorate our Meeting House and Sanctuary during December. Sign up online through the FUUSB Fundraiser link: Auctria.events/Wreaths2023

Wreath Pick-Up Volunteer Needed!

Would you be willing to pick up the FUUSB fundraiser wreaths on Wednesday, Nov. 29 in the Northeast Kingdom? An SUV or small pickup will be needed (there are 130 wreaths). Take a friend, enjoy the beautiful drive and make a day of it! Thank you. Questions? Please email Sarah Forbes here, or call here.

Wreath Decorators Needed!

Learn something new or continue your tradition! Come decorate wreaths and make swags for the FUUSB Annual Fundraiser! No experience necessary - there will be many examples and direction as needed. We will be decorating in the Community Room on Thursday, Nov. 30, Friday, Dec. 1, Saturday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. each day. Thank you!

Contact Sarah Forbes with your availability and with any questions: email Sarah here or call here.

FUUSB Holiday Bazaar

Kim Watkin

The 88th Annual Holiday Bazaar is coming on Saturday, December 9 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

How can you help?

• Start saving household items that are in good, clean, and saleable condition. Donations will be accepted Wed., Dec. 6 to Friday, Dec. 8. Hours posted soon. 
• Look for the Volunteer Sign-Up List during Coffee Hour and sign up for a shift to help on Dec. 9. We can find a way for you to be involved!
• Email Kim Watkin here with any questions! 

Winter Socks, Hats, & Gloves

Jana Porter, Meeting House Grounds Group

Wow, just wow! I wish all of you who donated clothing, from the child who took his own socks off to those who knitted gorgeous hats and mittens, could have seen the smiling faces of the recipients at Sunday Morning Breakfast. Thank you for such a generous response to our request for warm clothing! Donations are needed, welcome and always gratefully received. Please email Jana Porter here with any questions, or to coordinate pick-up/drop-off. 

Medical Leave

Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

I have a scheduled surgery coming up which will require me to take four weeks away from First UU. My leave begins on November 15 and I expect to return on December 17, the day of our Solstice multigen service and my birthday! While we have planned fewer special events than we might have otherwise, our normal programming should not be interrupted. During my absence you can direct questions about Faith Development programs to Rowan Van Ness, our Director of Youth and Emerging Adult Ministries. 

Meal Train Request

Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance

As most of you know, Erika Rief, our Director of Lifespan Faith Development, will be taking some time off to recover from surgery. We would love to help out Erika by supplying some meals during her recovery. The Meal Train link has dates to sign up to bring a meal, opportunities to purchase a gift card, and full instructions on what they like to eat and how to deliver the meals. Please sign up if you can. Thank you!

FUUSB Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule

Mary Williams, Administrative Specialist

FUUSB's Thanksgiving holiday break will be Wednesday, Nov. 22 and Thursday, Nov. 23. Offices will be closed and most weekly meetings will not be held. Please visit uusociety.org for updated event listings.

The eNews will take a break for the holiday on Nov. 22, with weekly issues resuming Nov. 29.

We will have an in-person and live-streamed worship service on Sunday, Nov. 26 at 10 a.m.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mystery Solved!

Peggy Derby, Flower Power Team

Thank you to everyone who sent in a possible name for the maker of the hooked Meeting House rug.

Our longtime member and centenarian Gene Ashley was told that Ken Chapman was the maker, and he believes this to be true. Gene does not know exactly when it was made. Ken was a machinist who had a machine shop on Elmwood Ave. As a machinist he would have been very good with his hands. He photographed the building, then drew it on the backing.

Gene knew him professionally through his employment at General Electric. On occasion the company contracted with Ken to do machinist work. Gene said he did not see Ken at church services but met Ken's wife Althea at the Sunday nursery, where she worked when Gene and his family started attending FUUSB in 1953. That was the period when the steeple was being replaced due to a lightening strike and services were held in the University of Vermont’s Ira Allen Chapel.

Gene recalled a conversation with Ken in which he talked about helping with the work on the Meeting House back in about 1915. The Boy Scouts needed a meeting room, and excavation for this was done under the building, which then ended at the Parlors. Ken spent time helping the Boy Scouts. He told Gene the work involved shovels, pickaxes and horses.

Gene no longer comes to services but does watch them on his computer. Thank you for this information, Mr. Ashley!

For the latest news from the New England Region UUA, check out the November newsletter at this link.